News

Nov 29, 2018

​The Permanent Secretary (Core Education) of the Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam, Yang Mulia Dr. Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin attended the 41st Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization High Official Meeting (41st SEAMEO HOM) from 27th to 29th November 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was also attended by Senior Officials from SEAMEO Member Countries, SEAMEO Associate Member Countries and SEAMEO Affiliate Members. In addition, the meeting was attended by all 26 SEAMEO Centre Directors.

The SEAMEO HOM is convened annually, bringing together senior officials from the SEAMEO Member Countries, representatives from SEAMEO Associate and Affiliate Members, Directors and Officers from SEAMEO Regional Centres to report, discuss, plan and review the programmes, activities and the operations under the organization.

This year’s meeting was officiated by the Guest of Honour, His Excellency Dr. Sophon Napathorn, the Vice Minister of Education, Thailand. In His Excellency’s opening remarks, His Excellency highlighted that Thailand has been engaging the private sector in further promoting Technical and Vocational Education to develop the skills of students in line with the needs of the labour market. His Excellency also touched on the introduction of High Potential Schools as well as the establishment of English Boot Camps to help improve the English language competency of Thai teachers and their teaching pedagogies.

During the meeting, each SEAMEO Member Countries also had the opportunity to share their progress and development in addressing the SEAMEO 7 Priority Areas. These 7 Priority Areas are (1) Early Childhood Care and Education, (2) Addressing Barriers to Inclusion, (3) Resiliency in the Face of Emergencies, (4) Promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (5) Teacher Education, (6) Harmonisation in Higher Education and Research and (7) Adopting a 21st Century Curriculum.

The three-day meeting began with a closed In-Camera Session followed by a Plenary Session. The meeting was concluded with the overall adoption and review of the meeting agendas.

Accompanying Dr. Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin at the meeting were officials from the Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam.